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- Italy Travel Guide
Italy is a country made for romance and built on style, sophistication and innovation. With one of the most spectacular histories of any country in the world you will also find thousands of years of culture, art and cuisine have left an indelible mark on the present. Roman ruins, Renaissance art, cafes, shopping, skiing, architecture, fast cars, music, fashion, films, football you name it. This is the country where everything is done with a certain amount of panache that is unmistakably Italian.
Flights To Italy are numerous from major destinations and good prices are available.
Ferries connect the country with Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Albania, France, Slovenia, Croatia and Spain and the country is also well connected to other parts of Europe by its excellent rail and bus network. Ferries also go to Sicily from mainland Italy including Naples and Genoa. Sardinia can be reached from Genoa, Naples and Palermo.
Driving in Italy is an excellent option as Italy's roads are well maintained.
Italy's climate varies widely depending on which part of the country you are in and at what altitude. Winters are long and severe in the Alps, with snow falling as early as mid-September. The northern regions experience chilly winters, hot summers and regular rain while conditions become milder as you head south. The sirocco, the hot and humid African wind that affects regions south of Rome, produces at least a couple of extremely hot weeks in summer.
Venice is a stunningly beautiful and magical city built on 117 small islands. Islands are connected by about 400 bridges. Canals serve as roads and every form of transport is on water or on foot. Its Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco are just some of the wonderful Venetian sights along with galleries, churches and palaces to explore. But the real delight is the honeycomb of canals, bridges and walkways.
A major archaeological site Near Naples, Pompeii was the thriving resort town for wealthy Romans. It was buried and preserved under ash and mud during the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins provide a fascinating insight into how the ancient Romans lived and include impressive temples, a forum, one of the largest known Roman amphitheatres and luxurious houses with frescoes.
Southern Italian island paradise with a long history of attracting the rich and famous. Overlooking the stunning Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius this is a magical island with a unique atmosphere.
Perched halfway up Mount Subasio this beautiful is city of white marble buildings is dominated by a huge 14th Century hill fortress. St Francis was born here in 1182 and his basilica contains stunning frescoes and imperial relics. The town also includes many delightful churches.
Italy's famous Leaning Tower began construction in 1173 but was postponed because the ground started to give way. It was finished in the 14th Century.
Small city halfway between Venice and Ancona which includes a world beating array of ancient art and architecture. Ecclesiastical treasures include Dante's tomb.
In north west Italy the first national park established in Italy is an oasis of larch woods and firs, alpine prairies, rocks and glaciers. The park covers 173,000 acres of permanently snow-capped mountains. About 3000 ibex live in the park as well as foxes and golden eagles.
Famous for its food culture, arts and golden beaches this is the largest Mediterranean island. Not only is it a beautiful landscape but it is home to some diverse historical treasures from Greek temples to Roman ruins to Norman castles. There is also Mt Etna - Europe's largest live volcano.
The Vatican state in the centre of Rome per square foot is the richest country in the world and has a population of only 750.
Built in 72 AD the Colosseum is one of the best loved tourist attractions in Rome. In its hey day it was an unrivalled public spectacle with a 70,000 strong crowd watching blood curdling sports involving gladiators, lions and tigers. It remained intact until the 8th Century and was eventually consecrated to the memory of Christian martyrs.
Regarded as one of the architectural wonders of the world due to its dome and its concept of space, the Pantheon was built in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa. Still intact, it is an architectural marvel, a perfect sphere resting in a cylinder. It is142 feet wide and 142 feet high. Dedicated to all gods of the Roman Empire this temple has an interior which allows light to pour in though a special opening in its ceiling. Emperor Hadrian created it in AD 120. The ceiling opening, or oculus, was designed to symbolize the all-seeing eye of heaven.
Made famous in films Three Coins in a Fountain and La Dolce Vita this is one of the best known fountains in the world. While marvelling at its mythical sea creatures and frothing water display visitors also pursue the ancient tradition of throwing in a coin thereby ensuring they return to Rome. The Trevi is a beautiful work of art designed by architect Francesco Salvi in the 17th Century.
The Vatican has been a separate state within Italy since 1920 with the pope as its head. This tiny enclave in the heart of Rome is the administrative and spiritual home of Roman Catholicism. The world's smallest independent state includes The Vatican's Sistine Chapel with ceiling by Michelangelo and frescos by Botticelli and Perugino.
On entering the catacombs you'll see the crypt of the nine popes with the original marble tablets of their tombs still preserved. There are almost half a million tombs and numerous paintings, sculptures and epigraphs inside.
Popular hangout and meeting place among visitors and locals alike these ornate steps takes their name from the adjacent Spanish Embassy which used to have its headquarters here. Designed by Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis and built 1723 to 1725.
The Forum was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Rome. Constructed over a period of about 900 years this vast area was once the main marketplace, admin and business district of the city. It is awash with antiquities such as the Temple of Saturn and can be visited for free.
The Palatine is a small hill near the Forum with ruins and pleasant garden walks. The rulers of ancient Rome built their palaces and temples here. Sites include the Palace of the Flavians and the ruins of the Baths of Septimus Severus.
